We open the year with a double header from what I think are the two biggest car events in the U.S. each year: The Consumer Electronics Show and the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The latter makes total sense in a show like this, but CES has also moved up the ranks as a major moment for car tech. I mean, Ford and GM climbed all over each other in a battle to be the first major automakers to open their vehicles to developers. That's what you call a major shift.

As for Detroit, I'll be honest: The flu grounded me in Las Vegas after CES, so Wayne and Antuan ran with the ball in the Motor City and brought us back some great stories: Ford Atlas (thinly-veiled taste of the next F-150), Corvette C7 Stingray, hot as a pistol Caddy ELR and the remarkable VW CrossBlue concept are among the ones I found most notable.

As I write this we have just finished shooting the Cadillac ATS which I am prepared to call their most relevant car ever, and a huge sigh of relief since Caddy has snickerable track record of doing small cars in the past. More on the refreshing ATS in the next episode on February 4, 2013.

About the author

Brian Cooley joined CNET in 1995 and always comes at technology from the real consumer's point of view. He brings his high energy, often skeptical style to all avenues of CNET coverage, with an emphasis on car tech. You'll also find him frequently on television, radio and the TV screens at Costco!
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Discuss Top car tech from CES and the Detroit auto show: CNET On Cars Episode 10